Short Summary

INTRODUCTION In the eyes of the outside world, the civil war in Lebanon has ended, but fighting continues in the troubled southern border regions.

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INTRODUCTION In the eyes of the outside world, the civil war in Lebanon has ended, but fighting continues in the troubled southern border regions. One of the most seriously affected areas is the beseiged Christian stronghold of Marjayoun. There a group of women have signed a petition calling on President Jimmy Carter and the Christian world for help.

SYNOPSIS: Meanwhile, Lebanese Christian soldiers, injured in fighting against Palestinians and their left-wing allies, are being taken for treatment to an Israeli clinic at Metulla. This in one of the crossing points on the border between Lebanon and Israel. Many had been wounded in fierce fighting near Marjayoun, a few kilometres to the north. Fighting has intensified in past weeks and Saiqi, a Syrian-controlled commando unit, has taken part in a counter offensive which has been centred on Marjayoun. Israel has strongly supported the Christian Phalanage forces since they took Marjayoun last November.

On Tuesday (12 April) Israel warned that it will not tolerate attacks on Christian villages which are friendly to it. The Foreign Minister, Yigal Allon, was commenting on reports of fighting in Marjayoun and other Christian strongholds but he said he didn't think Israeli intervention was necessary. The Christian women from Maryajoun are fearful that their village could be overrun by Palestinian forces, and were anxious that Christians elsewhere should not forget their plight. The women signed a petition, addressed to President Carter, asking for help from Christians around the world.